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BY ISAAC'BRAMAN, 






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" HAVERHILL: 

C. p. THAYER, & CO. PRINTERS. 

1833, 






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Rev. Isaac Braman, 

Sir, — At a meeting of a respectable number of the members of your Church 
and Society, held at the Vestry, last evening, the undersigned were appointed 
a Committee, to express to you the satisfaction with which they heard your 
Sermon on the 6th instant, and request a copy of the same for the press. 
Respectfully yours, 

AMOS J. TENNEY, 
ASA NELSON, 
MOSES CARTER. 
JVew-Rowley, Dec. 8, 1832. 



Gentlemen, — In compliance with your polite request, the Sermon is at 
your disposal. Yours respectfully, 

I. BRAMAN, 
Amos J. Tenney, Esq. 

Mr. Asa Nelson, 
Mr. Moses Carter. 



DISCOURSE. 



1 Samuel vii. 12. Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. 

The Prophet Samuel was a wonderful man. There was some- 
thing extraordinary in regard to his birth. His mother, Hannah, 
who had lived some years childless in the marriage state, at length 
obtained this son in answer to prayer. In connexion with her 
prayers, she made a solemn vow, that, if the Lord would give her 
a man-child, she would give the child to the Lord all the days of 
his life. The good woman meant he should be devoted to God in 
the service of the tabernacle, while she would endeavor that he 
should humbly seek the Lord and serve him with fidelity. This 
vow she performed; and the Lord accepted the gift. Samuel was 
an instance of early piety; and when very young, supposed to be 
about twelve years of age, he assisted Eli, the High Priest, in min- 
istering to the Lord. Inspired to predict future events, he was 
soon known and acknowledged as a true prophet. In addition to 
all this, he was for many years under God the chief magistrate in 
Israel, with the title of Judge, but in the stead of a king. His 
government was exceeding wise and equitable. He did much to 
suppress wickedness and to promote the piety and welfare of his 
people. 

During the time he officiated as Judge or chief ruler, he 
witnessed various changes in the state and circumstances of the 
nation. In all of them he was careful to acknowledge the hand of 
God, especially in the favorable interpositions of his providence, 
and the blessings he was pleased to bestow. The people were 
repeatedly visited with calamity; but, by humility and prayer, ob- 
tained deliverance. In the context we have an account of the 
Philistines invading them ; they were alarmed, and besought Sam- 



uel to intercede with God in their behalf. He did so, and was 
heard and accepted. The Lord terrified the enemy with thunder, 
and his people obtained a glorious victory. This signal manifes- 
tation of the divine favor they thankfully acknowledged, and erec- 
ted a monument to commemorate it. " Samuel took a stone, and 
set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it 
Ebenezer, (or the stone of help) saying, Hitherto hath the Lord 
helped us. " 

Like Samuel and his people, it becomes us to recognise the 
hand of God in all events which are ordered according to his 
pleasure. The blessings we enjoy, or have experienced, should 
be acknowledged with ascriptions of gratitude and praise to him 
from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift. Not per- 
sonal blessings only, such as are granted us individually, but bless- 
ings conferred upon the community and the society to which we 
belong should be thankfully remembered. What has the Lord 
done for us which should now be mentioned to his praise } 

This is an old town, among the earliest settlements of New-En- 
gland. It \yas incorporated in the year 1639, almost tv/o hundred 
years ago, and then included the chief, if not the whole, of Brad- 
ford and Boxford. It was settled, I think, in the eastern part of it, 
sometime before it was denominated a town, and was then called 
Mr. Rogers' plantation, he being the first minister; and was after- 
wards called Rowley from respect to him who had come from a 
town of that name in England. When this part of the town called 
New Rowley, began to be settled I am not able to say. There 
was no house, I believe, for public worship till the year 1729. 
On the oth day of June of that year, one hundred and three years 
ago, a house for God was erected a number ot rods east of this. 
Two years after the raising of the house, that is one hundred and 
one years ago, this Parish was incorporated by the name of the 
Second Parish in Rowley. Precisely at what time public worship 
began to be enjoyed here I have not ascertained. Before that, 
the people were in the habit of going as far as Byfield to hear 
preaching on the Sabba|;h. That place was erected into a parish 
in the year of our Lord 1706, and a minister, the Rev. Mr. Hale, 
\V-as settled the same year. 

Doubtless it would now be thought a great hardship by many to 
be obliged to travel as far as some of this parish then did to wor- 
ship God and hear his truth. But in that day the word of God 
was precious to Christians, the preaching of the true gospel was 
precious, and they would go many miles, if necessary, to hear 



it.* Many that were not Christians in the best sense felt the impor- 
tance of becoming such; and knowing that faith cometh by hear- 
ing, they would make a great effort to go where they could hear 
the word of life. The goodness and mercy of the Lord will be 
thankfully acknowledged by all possessing a right spirit, if they 
can put themselves within the sound of the gospel, though attend- 
ed with much labor, fatigue, and expense. But the time soon 
arrived when God would show greater favor to his people in this 
place, and bring his kingdom near to them, even to their doors. 
On the 4th day of October, 1732, one hundred years before the 4th 
of Oct. last, Mr. James Chandler of Andover, being a preacher in 
this place, this Church was organized, consisting of eighteen male 
members. The first namfe on the list is James Chandler, the 
candidate preacher. The covenant which this new Church adop- 
ted was essentially the same as that now in use. ^' It was read to 
them by the Rev. Mr. Hale of By field while they were all stand- 
ing together, and they having signified their consent to it by the 
lifting up of hands, he declared them to be a church of Christ, 
regularly constituted and founded according to gospel order. 
The Rev. IVIr. Balch of Bradford preached on the occasion, and 
at the close of the exercises gave out the 133d Psalm, which being 
sung, the congregation was dismissed with the blessing pronoun- 
ced upon them. The church tarried in the house of God, after 
the congregation had gone out, and made arrangements for the 
Ordination of Mr. Chandler, which had before been determined 
upon by the parish by a unanimous vote — or as it is stated, every 
one present voting for it. They agreed to call in the assistance 
of the neighboring churches of Byfield, Bradford, Boxford, An- 
dover, the first church in Rowley, and the second in Newbury, 
and likewise the church in Cambridge. All these churches, ex- 
cept that of Cambridge, were present on the eighteenth of the 
same month, October, and forming themselves into a Council, pro- 
ceeded to the ordination. The Rev. Mr. Barnard of Andover 
began v/ith prayer. The Rev. Mr. Rogers preached from John 
21st chapter, 15th, 16th and 17th verses. The Rev. Mr. Hale of 
Byfield gave the Charge. The Rev. Mr. Phillips of Andover 
gave the Right Hand of Fellowship. The Rev. Mr. Jewett of 
Rowley made the last prayer. The congregation then sang part 
of the 132d Psalm and were then dismissed, the blessing being 

* There is a tradition of a poor family who Uved some ten or twelve miles from 
Boston, that nsed occasionally to go that distance to attend the Thursday lecture. 
Destitute of other means of support, they drove their only cow before them, and 
fed upon her milk. 



pronounced upon them by him whose ordination they were now 
witnesses to." So says the Record. vSoon after the ordination, 
others, both male and female, were received from neighboring 
chur-ches. On the 29th day of the same month the church made 
choice of two of their members to serve as deacons, viz: William 
Fisk and William Searle, who, it appears, accepted the appoint- 
ment and continued in the office for a number of years. The 
former served above thirty-two years; the latter lived about forty- 
six years after his election, being, if I have not mistaken a figure, 
in his 88th year at his decease. How long he was able to bear 
the vessels of the Lord, and to perform the duties of his office, is 
not known. 

The goodness of the Lord was strikingly manifested in the trans- 
actions of that day, which were so ordered and conducted as to 
produce the happiest results; bringing the people to the enjoyment 
of gospel ordinances among themselves. In all their movements, 
it should seem, great unanimity and harmony prevailed. But 
those times were different from these. Elen were then generally 
of one heart and one mind in the great concerns of religion. In 
this place all were of the same denomination, and there were little 
or no discordant views in regard to doctrine. The doctrines which 
were received were substantially the same that are now denomi- 
nated orthodox; and it was not doubted but they were the doctrines 
of the gospel, such as Jesus Christ preached, and such as he com- 
missioned his apostles to preach, as showing the only way of life 
to the guilty children of men. Had any one at that day openly 
opposed these doctrines, had he denied the divinity of Christ for 
instance, or indeed any of the doctrines of grace, he would have 
been considered a monster, more to be shunned than the pestilence 
that walketh in darkness. This church was founded on Calvinis- 
tic principles, as appears by the covenant which has come down 
to us, and is still adopted by those who make public profession of 
our holy religion. The venerable Mr. Chandler was a Calvinistic 
preacher; of which I have satisfactory evidence both from the tes- 
timony of aged people who heard him, and from some manuscript 
sermons of his which I have seen. He believed that all men are 
by nature children of wrath, and that none can be saved but by 
the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. 
He believed in the doctrines of the divine decrees and election, of 
the trinity, of justification by grace, through faith, of the necessity 
of personal holiness in order to salvation, and of the eternal perdi- 
tion of all who die in their sins. He might differ somewhat in his 



manner of addressing the impenitent from many evangelical 
preachers of the present day, but of his orthodoxy in regard to the 
leading doctrines of the gospel, there can be no question. As a 
man, I am told, he was dignified in his deportment, yet pleasant 
and affable, strictly exemplary in his life and conversation, highly 
esteemed by his people generally, and respected abroad. 

Mr. Chandler had his trials, however, some grievous ones, and 
from a source whence they were not to have been expected. Though 
generally esteemed, there were some in his church, where, if any 
where, a minister expects to find true and faithful friends, that be- 
came disaffected. Without being able to find any fault, if I have 
been rightly informed, either in his doctrine or character, they 
complained that he was not sufficiently animated in his preaching, 
and that they were not interested nor edified.* For such reasons 
they withdrew from the communion table, causing the church and 
their pastor much grief and trouble. Ultimately these disaffected 
persons separated entirely from the church, and others joining them, 
they worshipped by themselves as they could procure preachers to 
their liking. Precisely at what time this final separation took place, 
I am not able to say. As early as 1754 a number withdrew from the 
communion. At that time, and for a considerable space afterwards, 
I believe, they did not profess to be of a different denomination 
from those they left. Indeed there was then scarcely any other 
denomination in this section of our country. In process of time 
this body of separatists embraced the sentiments of the Baptists. 
In the year 1781 an orthodox church was formed among them, and 
received as a branch of the Baptist church in Haverhill. Four 
years after, they became a distinct church, and so continue to 
this day. Such is the origin of the Baptist church and society in 
this place. 

In all the trials of the pastor and chuich, occasioned by this dis- 
affection and separation of some of the members, the Lord helped 
ihem, and it is believed dwelt in their midst as their supporter and 
guide. The church was preserved and built up by occasional ad- 
ditions, and having obtained help of God it continues to this day, 
and the gates of hell have not prevailed against it. The pastor liv- 



* Are there not some at the present day who depend more upon the eloquence and 
fervor of the preacher than they do upon their own efforts, or even the grace of God, 
to keep religion alive in their souls ? What becomes of the religion of such people 
in their families and in their closet, when there is no warm hearted preacher to 
excite and animate them ? If the heart be in a right state, divine truth will be 
precious and cheering, though it be presented in a homely dress and manner. 
When a person is not pleased and edified by the pure gospel it might be well for 
him to inquire whether or ko there is'any fault in himself. 



ed to a good old age, and was doubtless an instrument in the hand 
of God of turning many to righteousness, though, I believe, nothing 
like a general revival took place in his day. How many made a 
public profession of their faith during his ministry cannot be fully 
ascertained, owing to the imperfect manner in which the records 
were kept in the latter part of his life. There must have been a 
very considerable number, however, to repair the breaches made 
by death and otherwise, and to keep the church in existence for so 
many years. The Rev. Mr. Chandler departed this life April 
19th, 1789, aged 83 years, in the 58th year of his ministry. From 
the best information we can obtain of him there is reason to believe, 
that in the near view of death he could with a good degree of con- 
fidence adopt the language of the apostle, and say, "I am now 
ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have 
fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith . 
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which 
the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day." 

For some years before his decease Mr. Chandler was not able to 
perform muf5h public service, and candidates were employed by the 
church and society. Hearing different preachers the people soon 
became divided in sentiment, and sixty four individuals labored here 
in word and doctrine, for a longer or shorter time, before one was 
settled. During this time, however, there were several who received 
an invitation to settle, and in some of them the people were nearly 
or quite united. Though difference of opinion prevailed, which 
caused much unpleasant contention, there were none of the liber- 
tine sentiments of the present day embraced by any. All were or- 
thodox upon a general scale, and most of the points which divided 
them are now considered as of rather minor importance. Their 
being unable for so long a time to obtain the stated ministry of the 
gospel was a source of anxiety and grief to the friends of religion. 
Many were ready to fear, God had forsaken them, and that he 
would never hear and answer their prayers for the blessing they 
sought. They deprecated the idea of their children being brought 
up without the usual means of grace. But God had not forsaken 
his people. They generally enjoyed the preaching of his word till 
one became stationary among them. 

On Nov. 13th, 1796, now thirty six years ago, he whom Provi- 
dence designed to be your second minister preached his first ser- 
mon in this house. The afternoon sermon was addressed to youth, 
and was blessed to the awakening of one young woman, who ob- 
tained a hope, professed religion, and lived to adorn her profession. 



9 

The 26th of January following, the church voted to give their canr 
didate a call to settle with them in the work of the gospel ministry. 
The society having concurred, and an affirmative answer being 
given, the 7th of June, next succeeding, was appointed for the ordi- 
nation ; which took place accordingly, and that sacred connexion 
was formed between minister and people, which through the tender 
mercy of our God has continued to this time. The ordination, it 
will be perceived, was thirty-five years ago the 7th of June last, 
and was a little more than eight years after the decease of the 
former minister. 

At that time, there was an unhappy division in the society. In 
the opposition there were respectable people, who, doubtless, were 
conscientious in what they did. Some there might be, as is usual 
in such cases, whose motives were not the best. The prospect was 
thought to be gloomy by not a few. Some of the council hesi- 
tated in regard to the expediency of proceeding to ordination. 
After the solemn act was performed, it was confidently predicted 
that the connexion would not continue two years. But He who 
has the hearts of all men in his hand, and the sovereign disposal 
of events, has seen fit to order it otherwise, showing us how little 
we can depend on our own foresight and conjectures in respect to 
future events. Of the disaffected persons, some left the society 
and united with other denominations; some removed from the 
place; a few, it is believed, became sincere friends. The greater 
part of them are now in the eternal world. The same may be said 
of those who were active in favor of the settlement. Most of them 
are gone to reap the rewards of obedieijt believers, or to experi- 
ence the awful doom of them that obey not the gospel. Over two 
hundred and eighty, in all the parish, have died during my ministry 
among you. 

Since the interesting period alluded to, we have had our trials, 
probably more and greater than those, that have caused repeated 
separations between minister and people in various places. But 
divine providence mercifully sustained us under them, the Lord 
helped us, and carried us through unhurt as to our outward con- 
dition; and we may hope, that as to some, they have conduced to 
tlie welfare of the soul. It now clearly appears to have been the 
ivill of God that we should continue together till this day. 

Different sects have risen up among us from time to time. Some 
-Qf them have had their day and disappeared; thus proving, if Gam- 
aliel may be considered a competent judge, that their counsel was 
not of God. Be this as it may, our school-house preachers, some 



lO 

of them, it is thought, have done much to corrupt the principles 
and morals of our youth and children; but the spirit of the Lord, 
mercifully lifting up his standard, has greatly counteracted the 
evil. Whatever discrepancy of religious opinions may have pre- 
vailed among the different sects, they seem to have held one sen- 
timent in common, that it was a duty, at least expedient, to make 
as many proselytes as possible to their own party, regardless of 
the injury done to others. Accordingly, unwearied efforts have 
been made, and the most subtle artifices used, to decoy the young 
ai\)[d unwary, drawing them from their stated place of worship, on 
the pretext that they should hear something new and entertaining. 
By such means, persons of this sort have been led away, too often, 
it is to be feared, without giving themselves the trouble to inquire 
whether they should be likely to hear the gospel of Christ, or 
some other gospel which Christ and his apostles, were they on 
earth, would not approve. It is a question whether any religious 
society in New-England was ever more warmly beset on all sides, 
before and behind, on the right hand and on the left, and by those 
who made it too evident that they wished her ruin, than this has 
frequently been. But hitherto hath the Lord helped us. The soci- 
ety has withstood all attempts to divide and destroy it. The 
church has stood like a rock in the sea, firm and unmoved, amid 
the dashing waves; and if, as we beheve, she is built upon a rock, 
the rock of ages, she will stand, though earth and hell should com- 
bine against her. 

Both the church and society are larger, and have been more 
flourishing, of late, than at any former period. The church now 
consists of about one hundred and thirty members. One hundred 
and sixty have been received by profession and letter since my 
settlement with you; almost half of them since the revival of last 
year. Seventy, including several* that now stand propounded, 
have made profession within little more than a year, and some 
have been added from other churches. There are still non-profes- 
sors among us, who, it is believed, are friends of Christ, and it is 
hoped, will soon become so valiant for the truth, and be so drawn 
by love, as to openly and heartily espouse his cause.. 

For what the Lord has done to sustain and prosper us, as a 
church and society, we would bless his holy name. That we are 
wholly dependant on him for the building up of his Zion among 
us, notwithstanding all the means we may use, there is striking 



* These have since been admitted to the church. 



11 

"evidence in the difference of the results of our two protracted 
meetings. The preaching and the other services, taken collec- 
tively, were doubtless as good at the meeting of this year as at the 
last; but how different was the effect produced! The last year, 
nearly or quite a hundred in private professed hope in Christ; the 
present, one or two. This may seem a mystery to some; but the 
following Scripture will solve it. " The hand of the Lord was 
with them; and a great namber believed, and turned unto the 
Lord." When God is pleased to bless the word of the preacher, 
great good is done; but if he withhold his blessing, the most pun- 
gent truth is inefficient; all labor and effort will be fruitless. 
There might be circumstances, however, at the time and after the 
last meeting, tending to divert the minds of men from the concerns 
in which all ought to feel the most deeply interested. We are of 
the earth, earthly, and easily hindered from seeking the welfare of 
the soul. 

The present is somewhat of an important era in our history. I 
speak in regard to the alteration made in this house of God, and 
to circumstances connected with it. This house was built in the 
year 1769, one year before your present minister was born. The 
dedication sermon was preached by the celebrated Mr. White- 
field. An anecdote of those times should not be omitted here. 
The building of a new house, at some little distance from the spot 
where the old one stood, caused considerable excitement and divi- 
sion. Three men, of some property and influence in the society, 
were so disaffected with the measure that they made a solemn, 
but certainly a very rash promise, that they would never set their 
feet within the new house. What they supposed would be 
thought of their promise in heaven, we have not the means of 
knowing. But this we do know, the Lord heard it, and, we are 
told, he ratified it in a most awful, and to them, doubtless, unexpect- 
ed, manner. Before the house was finished and fit for use, those 
three men had done with houses made with hands, and with all 
sublunary things, and were gone where a building with God is 
indispensable to the happiness of the soul. Vows and promises 
of this kind do not argue a very high state of pious feeling in 
those who make them, and had better never be uttered. But to 
return to this house of God, Since its erection, it has undergone 
such occasional repairs as were thought needful. Of late it has 
been deemed advisable, by many, both to repair and to alter the 
internal structure of the building, supposing it would conduce to 
convenience and ornament. Others of the society entertained a 



19 

different view ot the matter, and as we all know, some unpleasant 
feelings have existed among us. This question it is not my prov- 
ince to decide, nor would it be proper, perhaps, to give an opinion 
upon it. We need not criminate the motives of either party, or 
suppose they had any bad design in the affatir. It is no wonder 
that persons should be attached to the form of the house of wor- 
ship, which they have been accustomed to behold from their child- 
hood. The thing is perfectly natural; and doubtless some sin- 
cerely thought, the proposed alteration would be no real improve- 
ment, but a needless expense, a waste of time and money, and the 
cause off much evil. With these views, they could not enter hear- 
tily into the cause, nor cheerfully give it a helping hand, as those 
could, who thought differently upon the subject, and subscribed 
liberally to promote it. The work is now done, and we are con- 
Strained to say, it appears to be neatly, and faithfully done, and is 
beautiful to the eye. 

As an abstract question, we do liot hesitate to say, it is a com- 
mendable thing to wish and endeavor that the house of God should 
appear neat and handsome^ not to say, elegant. David, though a 
king, thought with deep regret of his living in a house superior to 
that which contained the ark of God, and was the place of public 
worship ; and wished to erect a superb building for the service of 
his Maker. What he desired, his son Solomon accomplished, and 
built a "house for the Lord that was exceeding magnifical, of 
fame and glory throughout all countries." Ezra could say 
'^Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put such a 
thing as this in the King's heart to beautify the house of the Lord 
which is at Jerusalem. '^ There is danger, however, lest we be 
too much carried away with pomp and show, and forget that God 
is a spirit, who must be worshipped in spirit and in truth. This 
thought should ever be in mind; that, whatever be the appearance 
of the place of worship, God is holy, he requires a holy service, 
and holiness becomes his house forever. May this house be ever 
holy to the Lord. We pray God here to record his name, here to 
delight to dwell, here to clothe his priests with salvation, and 
cause his saints to shout for joy. In this sacred desk, may all his 
counsel be declared, and no erroneous doctrine ever be suffered 
to proceed out of the mouth of the speaker. Here, will the Lord 
ever bless his truth, and cause many to be born again of the in- 
corruptible seed. May all who have labored in repairing and 
beautifying this house, all who have contributed to the cause, all 
who wish well to our Zion, seeking her welfare and peace, in fine. 



13 

all who shall ever enter this house to worship God and to hear his 
word, be blessed with the light of his countenance, and the joy of 
his salvation, and at last be admitted into his glorious house above, 
where they shall see his face and enjoy his presence forever. 

Having thus rapidly gone over the space of a hundred years, 
and glanced at some of the principal objects that were to be met 
on the way, considering the various and checkered scenes, which, 
as a church and people, we have been called to witness, the many 
supports and consolations in affliction, deliverances from trouble, 
and the good degree of success which has attended our labors and 
efforts in ministerial, ecclesiastical, and parochial concerns, and 
the efficacy which the divine word has had from time to time to 
convert sinners and purify the saints — seriously considering these 
things, we are constrained, again and again, to repeat the language 
of the text, " Hitherto hath the Lord helped us," We know that 
without his compassionate regard, without his supporting arm, and 
merciful aid, our church would long ere now have ceased to exist, 
the society would have been feeble and helpless, if not extinct, 
and there would have been a famine of the word of the Lord, a 
famine of the means and ordinances which we now enjoy. Those, 
who sought to scatter and destroy us, would have prevailed. ^' If 
it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel 
say; if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men 
rose up against us; then they had swallowed us up quick, when 
their wrath was kindled against us." 

By our past experience of his goodness, as well as by his pre- 
cious promises, we are encouraged still to trust in God, not doubt- 
ing that he will still be with and bless us, that he will here sustain 
us in trials, and defend us from evil, that he will here maintain his 
cause, and build up his church ; preparing many sons and daugh- 
ters for glory. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present 
help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear. They that trust in 
the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but 
abideth forever." Certainly, if the Lord be on our side, we need 
not fear any spiritual foes. We shall come off conquerors and 
more than conquerors over them all. But, it should ever be re- 
membered, if we would have the Lord on our side, we must be on 
his side. We must be reconciled to God, and seek his glory by 
obedience to his will in all things. That cannot be a right kind of 
trust in God, which is unaccompanied with love and holy obedi- 
ence. Again, 

If we would trust in the Lord to do us good, we must try to pro- 
mote our own good . God works by means, not by miracles ; and 



14 

if he intends to build us up as a church in the holy faith of the gos- 
pel, and to prosper us as a religious society, he will make use of 
our efforts for this end. Do you ask what we are to do ? I answer, 
your minister must faithfully declare all the truth in the fear of 
God, without so much as stopping to inquire whether it will be ac- 
ceptable to the hearer or not. Doing this, and aiming to act in all 
things in accordance with the spirit of the gospel, endeavormg to 
bring sinners to repentance, and to help christians on their journey 
toward heaven, he might hope for the divine acceptance, and for a 
blessing on his labors to the good of the people. The church must 
arise, shake herself from the dust, and put on her beautiful gar- 
ments of salvation. Individual members must arise, trim their 
lamps, and let their light shine, for the benefit of those who are in 
darkness, that they may be conducted to the path of life. Let the 
church do this, and she may hope the Lord will bless and build her 
up. Sinners must awake, hear the alarming truths of the gospel with 
self-application, saying each one to him or herself, I am the man, I 
am the woman, I the youth, I the child. This is the word of the 
Lord to me, and if I refuse to hear and obey, I refuse at my peril. 
I have an immortal soul, and that soul, which I have hitherto neg- 
lected, and rendered odious to God by my sins, that soul is in jeop- 
ardy, it is in danger of being cast off and destroyed forever. I will 
turn to the strong hold now, while I am a prisoner of hope ; I will go 
to the Lord Jesus Christ, and seek redemption through his blood, 
even the forgiveness of sins, before the door of hope is shut . Those 
who will do this will secure their own salvation. And if all this 
people will do it, why then they will all be saved, and the church 
here will appear all glorious, holding up light to all around her. 

There are other duties, which, if we would promote the prosper- 
ity of the church and society, must not be neglected. We must 
take a deep interest in their welfare ; not only such, as the pious 
and benevolent take in the welfare of the church universal, and of 
society in general, but such likewise as the dutiful and affection- 
ate child feels for the peace, prosperity, and happiness of his 
father's house, and of all his dear connexions. True christian 
benevolence, call it disinterested, or impartial, or by any other 
name, does not preclude the idea of a special regard for one's 
own, for the family, church, and society, to which he belongs. 
We are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. The idea is, 
we must desire his happiness as we desire our own, we must for- 
bear to injure him in person, name or estate, we must do him 
good, as we have opportunity, and seek the salvation of his soul. 
But who ever thought a man is required to look as minutely into 



1^ 

the concerns of another as into his own, or that he is under no 
greater obligation to his own family, to counsel and instruct them,, 
to provide for them, and to endeavor to promote their interest, 
than he is to the family of his neighbor ? The apostle condemns 
the man, who provides not for his own house, as unworthy the 
christian name, and as even worse than an infidel. So ought we 
to have special regard for the church and society with which we 
are connected. We are under obligations to them whieh we are 
not under to any other. We ought to know more of their con- 
cerns than we can expect to know of the concerns of any other,, 
and to do more for them than we are called to do for those with 
whom we have no particular connexion. We are to do what we 
can to prevent discord, and to promote the peace and prosperity 
of our society. This all its real friends will not fail to do. 

One thing we ought specially to observe, that is, not to predict 
evil to ourselves, not to say, our society is in danger of being 
broken up, that its foes are many, and its friends disheartened,, 
and we fear our difficulties will not be removed. There is no 
cause for these fears and dismal forebodings, and no good can 
come of expressing them. Hitherto hath the I^ord helped us, and 
if we will trust in him, and do our duty in other things, we believ© 
he will continue to help us, causing us to abide under his shadoWy^ 
and to share richly in his goodness. 

Another thing we shall do well to observe; it is, to do nothing 
in any way to promote that which we view to be a false religion^ 
a perversion of the gospel of Christ. Certain it is, we cannot 
understandingly promote a bad cause, and be innocent. We can- 
not do it without offending God, and exposing ourselves to experi- 
ence the weight of his just indignation. My brethren and friends, 
let us all be valiant for the truth, and contend against error of 
every kind, not with carnal weapons, but with those which are 
spiritual, and which the great Captain of our salvation has pio- 
vided, and we may hope for success in our warfare. Let us all 
devote ourselves to God, to seek his glory, and the interests of the 
great Redeemer's Kingdom in the world, particularly in the place 
where he hath appointed the bounds of our habitation. "Pray 
for the peace of Jerusalem ; they shall prosper that love thee. 
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. 
For my brethren and companions' sake, I will now say, Peace 
be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God, 
I will seek thy good." 

Here I might stop; but one word more to my dear people may 
not be unseasonable or improper. The connexion between us has 



16 

continued comparatively long, much longer than has been usual, 
between ministers and those committed to their charge. It is 
certainly an extraordinary thing for the ministry of two men to fill 
a century, or that of one to continue fifty eight years, or even 
thirty five and more. But so it has pleased God to order things 
in this place. The various trying scenes through which we have 
passed, instead of causing a separation, have conduced, it is be- 
lieved, to bind us more closely together in the bonds of mutual 
aflTection. Many have been the tokens of your kind and tender 
regard for your minister and his family. His many imperfections 
you have covered with a mantle of love. The Lord reward you 
an hundred fold now in the present life, and in the world to come 
grant you life everlasting. The connexion, according to the 
course of nature, if from no special cause, must very soon be 
dissolved. The voice that now addresses you will be heard no 
more. Will you add to all your other kindnesses, your humble, 
fervent prayers, that the few remaining days of your minister's 
life may be filled up with fidelity to God, and usefulness to you. 
Pray God that neither the fear of man, nor any false tenderness 
for a people dear to his heart, may prevent him from faithfully 
declaring all the solemn truths of the gospel. There is one con- 
soling thought, should a separation take place, which cannot be 
far distant, you are, in a human view, in a much better condition 
to be left than you were several years ago. Then had such an 
event happened, there would have been reason to tremble for the 
ark of God in this place. But God has done great things for you; 
he has increased the number of his people, and strengthened your 
hands in his cause. It is now confidently hoped, you would not 
listen to a teacher of error, should such an one come among you, 
however popular his talents. You know what the gospel is, and 
can distinguish between the chaff and the wheat. The sheep will 
follow their true shepherd, for they know his voice, but a stran- 
ger will they not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not 
the voice of strangers. God grant you may never hearken to any 
but to him who is the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, and to 
such as speak according to his word. The Lord furnish you with 
a succession of pastors who shall declare all his will, and may his 
holy truth here be proclaimed, and blessed, as long as the sun and 
moon shall endure. As to ourselves, may we all so live, serving 
God and our generation, as to approve ourselves unto him through 
Jesus Christ, that we may be found on the right of our Judge in 
the great day, and be bidden welcome to the joy of our Lord. 









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